CAM desperately needs a win over Essex/South Page if it wants to remain a legitimate playoff contender in District 8

Cougars look forward to securing first home victory of season before Homecoming crowd

By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / September 26, 2013

ANITA  –  It’s the final weekend of September, and already the Cougars are fighting for their playoff survival.

This is the third straight Friday that Cumberland-Anita-Massena takes the field with a “must-win” mindset, and the Cougars ought to have ample reason and motivation to put on a good show before their Homecoming crowd in Anita.

Friday night brings with it an opportunity or a flashpoint for a CAM squad working hard to reverse its fortunes after a 1-4 start.

“It’s an important game,” CAM head coach Joe Wollum says. “It would be nice to cap off a strong Homecoming week with a win, but a win also does a lot towards keeping alive in the playoff hunt as well.”

The week started with CAM’s junior varsity making a statement Monday with a 40-14 victory over Southwest Valley. It’s something coach Wollum thinks might spark the program to step up and close out a much-needed victory over Essex/SP Friday.

Essex/South Page fields a roster of 35 players, large by 8-Man standards, and moreover, E/SP has players with physical mass as well, mixed in with some speed.

The Trojans roll in with an 0-4 record, with losses Fremont-Mills, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Lenox and Twin Cedars. Senior Jacob Jones is E/SP’s top rusher with 49 totes for 236 yards (4.8 YPC) and two touchdowns.

“They have some talent and they do some things well,” coach Wollum says of the Trojans. “They are better than their record shows.

“When they are successful, it means they are running the ball well. That’s something we really need to try to shut down, and force them to throw. They are not as comfortable when they throw, and maybe that’s how we can create turnovers.”

CAM has struggled at home so far this season, falling to River Valley and Southwest Valley, while being outscored on average 63-16 in those two losses.

This week, CAM has restructured its offensive line, plugging freshman Brandon Flathers into the center position, and moving Keegan Hosfelt to guard. The coaches also hope to rotate more players in on the ends, depending on what the play dictates. Left to right the line will now be; end Michael Holste, (Cole McAfee and/or Trent Jessen), left guard Hosfelt, center Flathers, right guard Austin Williamson and right end Logan Dinkla.

The Cougars continue to move the ball offensively through quarterback Trace Ticknor, who averages 5.0 yards-per-carry (420 yards on 84 attempts) and nine touchdowns on the grounds. As a passer, Ticknor is 51-of-111 (46 percent) for 783 yards and eight TDs to five picks.

Offensive growth is one focal point for the team this week.

“We’ve been stagnant a couple weeks in a row, and now we really need to be able to put some points on the board,” coach Wollum says. “We need to be explosive on offense early, and hopefully that will open things up.”